“Rio Ferdinand, We know what you meant…”
One had hoped we can all just move on and get back to football. Even if Terry did say something in anger on the spur of the moment, did it make him a racist? How did Ron Atkinson feel, when making a silly remark when caught looking for a word to describe the lazy Marcel? But wrong it was, and Big Ron is living with it, and the consequences.
Terry is not a racist, and his retort during that game may or may not have been in anger, although he inists he was repeating what he was accused of. And so that might be. He was found not guilty, and that is what matters – he’s not guilty. Move on.
But, some may want to bring Rio to the plate. They may think that ‘just so long as we know what Rio really thinks…’
No, let us just get on with playing football.
Unless, of course, an off-duty policeman (and Chelsea fan) has read that remark posted by Rio and feels compelled to complain to the police. And then The police investigate, decide there’s not really much worth pursuing, UNTIL Ashley Cole’s agent steps in with some advice for Ash and a long written statement arrives at the old Bill. Then the CPS review it and decide that there IS a case to answer for. Rio meant choc ice in the context that it is known; white on the inside.
We then see Rio being charged with racism. Or some form of racisim by slandering a Ashley Cole with a derogatory term. The FA immediately strip him of the vice-captaincy (that he doesn’t have) and Hodgson resigns as he wasn’t consulted.
The away fans start singing, “Rio Ferdinand, we know what you meant…”
Then old red-nose steps in and gets the trial delayed until the end of next season – but that gives the press all season to trump it up – and finally, £3m spent on legal fees later, the case eventually opens next summer and afer 5 days the judge actually thinks Rio made the remark referring to what it really means, but as it is not beyond reasonable doubt he has to find him not guilty.
The point being – JT should never have been charged in the first place.